10 Take Aways from Mobile World Congress 2025

02 / 04 / 2025

Worldline attended the Mobile World Congress 2025 and summarized the most interesting aspects of this global innovative technology event.

2 min.

Artificial intelligence Event Innovation Mobility as a service Chatbot

Mobile World Congress 2025

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona was a record-breaking event that underscored the expanding reach of the mobile technology ecosystem. The conference attracted 109,000 attendees from 205 territories – notable surge beyond pre-pandemic levels.

This edition of MWC was dedicated to exploring the latest technological innovations and trends across six primary themes:

5G Inside
- The next phase of 5G rollouts promises enhanced versatility and reliability, unlocking new revenue opportunities and transforming business models across variety of industries.
Connect X
- With connected IoT devices projected to exceed 15 billion, the focus is on creating seamless, secure networks by fostering collaboration among various ecosystem players.
AI+
- As generative AI reshapes industries, MWC25 emphasises practical deployment, data management, and the ethical implications of AI technologies in enhancing personalised user experiences.
Enterprise Re-invented
- Enterprises must adapt to rapid technological advancements by continuously evolving their processes and strategies, placing a strong emphasis on agility in a fast-changing landscape.
Game Changers
- Revolutionary technologies like quantum computing and AI are poised to redefine industries, with discussions highlighting real-world applications and their transformative potential.
Our Digital DNA
- A societal shift towards ecological sustainability calls for technology companies to realign their values, focusing on environmental and social responsibilities for a better future.

4YFN (Four Years From Now) - the platform for startups to network and innovate - was once again a highly relevant event during the Mobile World Congress, featuring over 1,000 startup exhibitors, nearly 380 speakers, and more than 900 investors gathered to explore the latest innovations in mobile technology and artificial intelligence.

A special mention this year goes to the Talent Arena event, held during the same week as MWC 2025 at Fira Montjuïc in Barcelona, where over 20,000 digital professionals from 115 countries convened to engage in workshops, hackathons, and conferences featuring prominent figures such as Steve Wozniak, Garry Kasparov, and Cassie Kozyrkov. This gathering highlighted Barcelona's status as a global tech hub and underscored the critical role of digital talent in driving technological innovation. For more information, visit our blog Connecting Minds: A Journey Through Talent Arena 2025! | Worldline Global.

Worldline's Participation in MWC25

Worldline participated this year in the Open Innovation Challenge organised by Acc1ó (Agència per la Competitivitat de l'Empresa from the Generalitat de Catalunya) and Enterprise Europe Network, which brought together corporations, startups, and technology providers.

As with other relevant international companies (click here for full list), Worldline proposed a challenge centred around ‘How to personalise the traveller’s experience with Data & AI’.

We held several face-to-face meetings with startups during the event, as well as additional e-meetings in the days following.

Worldline's Participation in MWC25

As with other relevant international companies (click here for full list), Worldline proposed a challenge centred around ‘How to personalise the traveller’s experience with Data & AI’.

We held several face-to-face meetings with startups during the event, as well as additional e-meetings in the days following.

We also attended the Mobile Lunch, hosted by Mobile World Capital Barcelona. This annual gathering kicks off the official activities of the Mobile World Congress and brings together over 300 key players from Barcelona's digital ecosystem.

Likewise, we had the opportunity to attend the presentation of the TechHubs Overview 2025 at the Mobile World Capital booth. For the first year, the Worldline Digital Competence Centre is among the 160 hubs in the Catalonia region, as indicated in this report (click here to see the report).

photo collage of artificial intelligence booths

10 Takeaways from MWC25

Here are our ten takeaways from this event, where we can confidently say that absolute normality has returned following the pandemic and the years thereafter:

1) Artificial Intelligence Dominates the Conversation

• If one theme pervaded every hall and keynote at MWC 2025, it was Artificial Intelligence. Generative AI, in particular, emerged as “a dominant theme” across sessions, recognised as a revolutionary force reshaping industries from telecom to finance. Many carriers and vendors demonstrated how AI is being infused into their products and operations. MWC’s stages also explored cutting-edge AI applications across several keynote panels. The emphasis was not merely on innovation, but also on responsible deployment – discussions regarding ethical AI and governance featured prominently, acknowledging the necessity for transparency and bias mitigation as AI’s role expands.

• In summary, AI was omnipresent at MWC 2025, acting as a tangible driver of new services, smarter networks, and next-generation user experiences across the mobile ecosystem.

photo collage of innovative devices and new gadgets

2) Innovative Devices: Foldables, Concepts & XR

• While MWC may be an industry showcase, it consistently delivers exciting device innovations that capture the imagination of consumers and professionals alike. Smartphones made significant strides in 2025, with flagship models pushing the boundaries in camera design and foldable displays, exemplified by the latest models from Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Huawei Mat Xt.

• In terms of computing devices, Lenovo impressed attendees with futuristic concept PCs. The ThinkBook “Flip” AI PC concept features a massive folding screen that can bend outward, transforming a laptop into a large tablet or an all-in-one display.

• MWC 2025 also featured advancements in extended reality (XR) hardware. In a glimpse of the post-smartphone future, Samsung reportedly previewed a prototype mixed-reality headset (codenamed “Project Moohan”) behind closed doors, confirming plans for an official launch within 2025.

• The clear takeaway is that device innovation is thriving. From powerful camera phones to foldable PCs and AR eyewear, MWC 2025 provided a preview of the next wave of gadgets poised to define user experience and business opportunities in the coming years.

photo collage of smart mobility booths with cars and trains and driving simulation

3) Smart Mobility: Connected Vehicles Steal the Spotlight

• MWC 2025 made it evident that the lines between the mobile and automotive industries are increasingly blurred. The connected car was a focal point, with vehicle and mobility solutions unveiled at the conference.
• A notable first was the display of the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, a smart electric car representing the Chinese smartphone manufacturer’s full entry into the automotive sector. This launch illustrates how technology companies are diversifying their offerings toward electric mobility, utilising their expertise in software, user experience, and connectivity within vehicles.
• Another attention-grabbing demonstration was Nokia's partnership with the Estonian startup Elmo, showcasing a car that could be driven remotely from the exhibition centre in Barcelona while the vehicle was physically driving in Finland. A similar concept was demonstrated at Huawei's booth, from which it was possible to operate a vehicle over 15,000 km away in Dongguan (China), as shown in the accompanying image.
• In addition to vehicles, numerous companies unveiled d platforms for connected cars and services for smart cities (traffic management, mobile-connected smart parking, etc.).

three photo collage of AI robots for daily life

4) AI-Enhanced Robots Set to Transform Everyday Life & Work

• AI-enhanced robots took centre stage, displaying their potential to revolutionise daily life and work. Due to significant cost reductions and enhanced efficiency, they are now more accessible to businesses and potentially households, signalling a future where such robots may undertake tasks ranging from logistics to personal assistance.

5) Telecoms Evolve into Tech Companies

• A significant strategic takeaway from MWC 2025 is that mobile network operators are increasingly positioning themselves as “techcos” rather than solely telcos. The insight is that telecom incumbents envision their future in digital platforms, content, and IT services. In pursuing this vision, they are fostering a culture of innovation, software expertise, and risk-taking akin to that seen in Silicon Valley firms.

• The Telco-to-Techco trend was reinforced throughout MWC in numerous talks and product demonstrations, making it clear that mere connectivity is no longer sufficient – the industry's growth will stem from offering cloud, fintech, IoT, and other value-added technological services layered atop networks.

three images collage of of google and microsoft booth, and "developed apps" screen

6) Cloud and Telecom Collaboration Deepens

• MWC 2025 emphasised the increasing convergence of telecom operators with cloud providers. Many announcements pointed to closer partnerships between carriers and hyperscale cloud companies to deliver next-generation services at scale.

• Amazon Web Services (AWS), for instance, used the event to unveil new AWS Outposts servers and racks tailored for telecom environments. These on-premises cloud hardware offerings permit operators to run AWS infrastructure at network edge sites, facilitating low-latency 5G functions and bringing cloud agility into the telco data centre.

• Simultaneously, Google Cloud highlighted a series of collaborations with operators aimed at infusing cloud intelligence into mobile networks. One such partnership is with Bell Canada, which employs Google’s AI tools to automate network troubleshooting and accelerate deployments.

• Huawei Cloud prioritises Artificial Intelligence by transitioning from cloud-native to AI-native services, focusing on two main areas: "AI for Cloud," which enhances all its services with AI, and "Cloud for AI," aimed at constructing a robust platform to speed up AI development.

• This cloud–telecom synergy was visible on the exhibition floor too, with prominent cloud providers showing a strong presence. The outcome is a blurring of the lines between telecom networks and cloud infrastructure, as carriers adopt cloud technology to evolve into more agile service providers rather than mere connectivity utilities.

three image collage of cellnex booth and drone booths

7) 5G Evolution and 6G on the Horizon

• While 5G networks are still expanding globally, MWC 2025 offered a glimpse of what lies ahead. Discussions surrounding 5G Advanced (5G-A) – essentially the next phase of 5G with incremental enhancements – and even early visions of 6G were highly prominent.

• Many companies highlighted that current 5G standalone networks (with their end-to-end 5G infrastructure) are still a work in progress, particularly in regions such as Europe.

• Industry groups indicated that formal discussions surrounding 6G standardisation will commence in 2025, coinciding with this early research and development. Several booths even showcased prototype 6G hardware: for instance, NTT DOCOMO and Nokia revealed experimental 6G antenna systems and discussed their vision for 6G architecture standardisation to be achieved by 2028.

• The overarching takeaway is twofold – first, 5G is evolving (with enhancements like improved standalone coverage and network slicing improvements in the pipeline), and second, planning for 6G has begun. We can expect the 5G/6G dialogue to intensify in the coming years as stakeholders seek to balance completing the 5G rollout with conceptualising the networks of 2030 and beyond.

two photo collage of BBVA and Stripe booths

8) Low Participation of Fintech and Payments Industry

• This year's edition saw a notably low participation from the Fintech and Payments industry, raising important questions about the event's alignment with emerging financial technologies. This pointed to a missed opportunity for deeper exploration of transformative digital payment solutions, open banking innovations, and financial inclusion strategies.

four photo collage of 4YFN innovation program booths

9) 4YFN: Start-up Ecosystems & Open Innovation Programs

• At 4YFN (Four Years From Now), vibrant startup ecosystems and dynamic Open Innovation programmes took centre stage, fostering strategic collaborations between emerging entrepreneurs, established companies, investors, and innovation hubs – thereby catalysing technological breakthroughs, accelerating the commercialisation of disruptive ideas, and promoting an inclusive culture of co-creation that promises to redefine industries and drive sustainable growth into the future.

• Furthermore, substantial companies such as Deloitte, Banc Sabadell, Vueling, and others showcased their open innovation programmes and startup ecosystem activation.

three photo collage of "Talent Arena" talks of presenters on stage

10) Talent Arena

• Organised by Mobile World Capital Barcelona (MWCapital) in collaboration with GSMA, the Barcelona City Council, the Government of Catalonia, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Public Administration, the Talent Arena has established itself as a premier European event dedicated to digital talent.

• This edition brought together over 20,000 developers from 115 countries, with 53% being senior professionals representing more than 1,500 participating companies. This impressive turnout has solidified the event as a pivotal meeting point for the European digital sector.

• Over the course of three days, attendees had the opportunity to connect with leading tech companies, participate in hackathons and workshops, and draw inspiration from 223 sessions led by prominent figures in the digital field.

• Worldline's involvement in this event has been particularly noteworthy, encompassing the conference “Demystifying Accessibility Myth: Creating an App without Barriers“ by Hyai Ippolito Bastidas and Pilar García García, and the Roundtable “The Power of Neurodiversity” moderated by Santi Ristol, featuring Francesc Sistach (CEO of Specialisterne Global), mentor Dolores Gómez, and testimonial Ángel Ávila, among other activities. For more information, visit our blogs Hop on the TalentExpress for a day at the TalentArena! | Worldline Global.

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We hope these points have effectively illustrated the most relevant aspects of this edition. However, from the Digital Competence Centre (Worldline), we are organising sessions with clients to share all our insights from MWC25

Santi Ristol

Director of the Digital Competence Centre and member of the Worldline Discovery Hub

man in suit standing in front of a wall, with upper half body in shot

Jose Mª López

Head of Business Development at the Digital Competence Centre and Coordinator of the Innovation Committee at Worldline Iberia